There’s a new player in the center-console fishing-boat business, and the boatbuilder has brought something unique to the water. Yamaha’s 255 FSH Sport E has dual supercharged SVHO engines that generate over 500 hp, and they do it without taking up the transom with motors.
The design gives anglers an open casting deck with no obstructions, making it easy to cast and to bring fish aboard. There are two livewells on board. One is forward and has a clear front wall and an acrylic top. Its powerful pump keeps plenty of bait alive, and you’ll have a hard time turning the kids’ attention to fishing with so much action in the baitwell. There’s an aft baitwell holding 30 gallons of water too.
We found a spot for 25 fishing rods on board, including rocket launchers in the hardtop, undergunwale rod holders, and gunwale rod holders for trolling. More rods can be stored on the console’s side rod holder, and a slot in the hardtop accommodates the rods’ tips.
Forward seating and a cocktail table can convert from dual lounges to a full sun pad by dropping the table to seating level and adding cushions. Stow the cushions away, and the foredeck becomes a casting platform. There’s an option for a bow-mounted trolling motor for boat positioning too. Also adding fishability is the 12-inch Simrad GO display that has sonar and GPS. Cruise control assists in maintaining trolling speeds without having to keep a hand on the throttle.
The FSH is sporty to drive thanks to its massive horsepower, but it also boasts a 225-mile fishing range thanks to its 111-gallon fuel capacity.
But the FSH is more than a fishing boat. It’s built with the recreational boater in mind. The aft deck is equipped with a stowable bench seat to complement the forward seating. There’s a dual-station leaning post and flip-up bolsters. A tow pylon assists in wakeboarding, and massive storage in the deck locker and under the helm provides space to stow boards.
Add the carry-on cooler nested below the helm seat and everything needed for a full day of adventure on the water is in place.
High Points
- Raw-water washdown is handy for cleaning the deck after the catch.
- Cruise control assists in maintaining trolling speed.
- Jet pumps give the boat its shallow draft, ideal for fishing around shallow bays.
- Two livewells.
Specs
LOA: 24′6″
Beam: 8′6″
Draft (max): 1″10″
Dry Weight: 4,835 lb.
Seat/Weight Capacity: 12/2,700 lb.
Fuel Capacity: 111 gal.
Price: $79,499 (starting)
How We Tested
Engines: Twin Yamaha 1.8L supercharged SVHO
Drive/Props: Jet-pump impeller
Gear Ratio: 1.00:1
Fuel Load: 40 gal.
Crew Weight: 250 lb.
More Information
Yamaha Jet Boat Manufacturing – Vonore, Tennessee; yamahaboats.com